Hit and run

A few weeks ago while I was not on board, another boat hit Eidos.

It hit so hard that it bent this 4mm thick stainless steel bow roller. I could no longer fit the anchor in its place. So today I went back to the IBA dock and Phil, who previously constructed the frame for my bimini and spray hood, came and fixed it.

Much better and safer. 

But I am curious what kind of damage the other boat has from this collision. They owe me €50. 

 This seems to be an ongoing problem in Tranquil Bay. The powerboat in front reversed until it hit the other one. And then it kept moving back so it wrapped the mooring line around its prop. Makes you wonder where these people learn about boating. Luckily, several people came by to help.

New bimini

On Monday, I moved Eidos to the IBA dock and had my new bimini fitted. So now, it'll be much cooler to sail In the heat of the summer. I also washed the boat and top top my water tanks. It's nice to have access to the docks whenever needed.

 However not all was well as I discovered while at the dock.

I noticed some damage to the bow roller from a boat that collided with Eidos at anchor while I wasn't on board a couple of weeks ago. So now it makes it impossible to raise the anchor all the way up onto the bow roller. Another job to add to my lengthy list.

A friend took some photos but the boat disappeared and I have no way of chasing after them. But I'm sure their damage is worse than mine.

Thank you, Anna for letting me use this bird's eye view photo of Tranquil Bay and Nidri. Vliho Bay is on the right side of the photo.

And here are some more recent images. May this year has been very pleasant.

Cilantro drying on deck.

And new cilantro (corriander) seedlings have sprouted in my herb garden. Thank you, Marie for seeding them while you were here.

Sunrise in Tranquil Bay. 

Ancient fishing boat passing by.

Marie leaves.

After working very hard for a week, Marie left for Athens to continue her travels. Safe journey,  Marie!

 And thank you very, very much for a lovely painting. You are so talented!:)

Meanwhile, work on board never stops. Laundry day!

Winter damage and work continues

It seems that every winter something on board gets destroyed by the damp. Often it's books that suffer the most or cotton sheets and towels. This past winter it was a pair of Birkenstock sandals. Mouldy leather straps and rusty buckles. I need to head south for the winter. 

Meanwhile, Marie continues helping me by sanding the galley cupboards.

In the afternoon it's time for a swim at my favourite hotel pool.

Great friends and more accomplished.

My good friends, Anna and Sandis just arrived and surprised me with a bag full of goodies!

I offered them tiramisu in exchange but they were busy today unpacking and catching up on boat chores. Tomorrow!

And this morning I took my hand held vhf radio to Nick, an electronics specialist in Nidri and he made me a 12 volt charging cable. Now I should be able to charge and use the radio while anchored and underway instead of only while in a marina. 

It is strange that a portable vhf radio that might be needed in a life raft only comes with a wall socket plug in. 

This afternoon  the temperature reached 28 degrees Celsius. 

It is finally time to put away my winter clothes. I hope! 

A day full of accomplishments

On Saturday morning, my third day at the docks, I checked with IBA, and thankfully I was allowed to stay one more day. I sent a message to the canvas maker to confirm his coming to make the template for the bimini at 13:00. I also sent a message to the mechanic asking him what happened, why he didn't show up as agreed and letting him know that I would still be on the pontoon until Sunday at noon. He replied that he could be down in a couple of hours.

Ok, great, but meanwhile, I had made a date for a brunch at 10 with a new friend. Oh well, I could manage that. Waiting obviously does not work. So, I left the boat open, told my neighbour that a contractor might be coming aboard while I am gone and not to panic, and had a very nice brunch at a nearby cafe.

When I returned, it became obvious that the mechanic had been on board and started the job. I contacted him and he said, that yes, he has removed the water pump and will be back after he repairs it.

Great! So, I am not needed on board after all!

My new friend offered to drive me to Lefkas, and while I was getting ready to go, the canvas maker came and he too said that I didn't need to stay on board for him to do his job. 

I had a successful day, accomplishing other things while the contractors did their jobs. After I returned, the mechanic came back with a repaired water pump, reinstalled it, and told me that my engine now would run forever. 

Rebuilt water pump

Manual engine starter no longer useful.

The engine needs a bit of a clean up this winter after I haul out.

I was now free to enjoy my evening having dinner out knowing that I could happily head back to the anchorage the following day, Sunday.

So, in the end, all went well, everything got done and I didn't need to stress. The three days on the dock were not so bad after all. 

I am now back at anchor in Tranquil Bay and enjoying a peaceful afternoon.

Cloudy, depressing day and a rant with a happy ending.

I came to the IBA dock on Thursday for four reasons: so that a mechanic could do yearly maintenance on my engine; so that a canvas maker could measure Eidos for a bimini; to fill my water tanks; and to wash the boat. Also for three minor reasons: to do the laundry, to return a gas bottle, and to take my bike off the boat.  

I was happy that there was a place for Eidos on the busy dock and expected to stay one day. Once I had reservations, I confirmed with the contractors and received an affirmative reply from both.

So yesterday, I started the engine, hauled up the anchor, tied fenders on both sides, and after a lengthy wait was finally allowed to tie up. It took most of the rest of the day to wash the boat, fill the tanks, do one load of laundry, attempt to return the gas bottle, pick up parts for the engine, and get the bicycle off with help of some neighbours. 

But the mechanic who was supposed to come and change the oil and filters on my engine didn't show. Nor did he show up today, Friday.  And I received no message to explain why he didn't show. I have no idea what happened. 

The canvas maker did show up but only for five minutes to take a look. He didn't come prepared to take measurements or make a template. He said that he might come the next day in the evening, or perhaps next week - I would need to make arrangements with his secretary. So, my question is, why didn't he come prepared to make a template? I have been trying to get him to come all winter and when he finally arrives, he is not prepared. Busy, he said. 

Perhaps I should talk to his competition but he did the spray hood last summer, so I wanted the same person to do the rest of the job.

I told him that I would prefer to stay another day than leave the dock and then come back - not as easy as parking a car. He said he might be able to come Friday evening. So, this morning, his secretary wrote that he could come on Saturday at 13:00. Check out time on the pontoons is noon. This means I will have to pay for three days on the dock so that he could make the template - a job of perhaps one hour. I checked with the IBA office and they can't promise that this is possible - I may have to leave Saturday at noon. So, I am staying an extra day for nothing, just for the slight possibility that I could stay the third day and Tasos could make the template. 

I am angry. I am paying for each day I spend on the dock.

All I want is for people to keep their word and do the job they promised to do. Is this too much to ask for?

I did get a second load of laundry done but I could have done it from the anchorage as well. 

To make myself feel better I made another tiramisu.

It's raining again. Good thing the laundry is all dry and put away.

Tiramisu (Italian for 'pick me up')

Separate 2 eggs, add pinch of salt to the whites and beat them well, add 1.5 tablespoon of sugar to the egg yolks and beat them well. Add 250g of marscapone cheese to the egg yolks. Add 2 tbsp of liquor or brandy to the egg yolks. Fold the egg whites into the egg yolks gently. Spread a thin layer of mixture at the bottom of the dish. Place one layer of ladyfingers next in the dish. Don't soak them and don't split them. Dribbble a little bit of cold, strong coffee on top of each lady finger. Repeat the process by layering a generous portion of the egg mixture. The sugar side of the biscuits must face upwards. Add another layer of lady fingers sugar side up. Dribble more coffee on top. Do not let the coffee soak through too much. Add final layer of egg mixture. Before serving, sprinkle generously with cocoa powder and grated chocolate. Takes 20 minutes to make. Leave in a cold place for several hours to blend flavours and soften the ladyfingers.   Serves 8. Enjoy!

Nidri waterfall

Elisa hiked to the famous Nidri waterfall yesterday afternoon. An hour there and an hour back. 10 kilometers. 

A bit far for me but perhaps I will try it one morning before it is you hot.

And here is the smaller one.